Attendants from Cuba, Spain, Brazil and France, as well as from countries like Japan, Israel, Belgium and Netherlands, promise to make this contest a nip-and-tuck competition

Habano sommeliers, the most important matching event between Cuban cigars and beverages from around the world –scheduled as part of the Habano Festival- is coming around this year with sommeliers from several nations.

Professionals from everywhere under the sun, all winners of their national contests –especially in countries where Habanos have a huge impact- hail from Cuba, Spain, Brazil and France, though this time around there’ll be contestants from Japan, Israel, Belgium and Netherlands for the matching showdown.

For a second straight year, Cuba will be represented by Zudlay Napoles, a sommelier at the world-known Floridita restaurant, one of the favorite hangouts of U.S. Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway during his long tenure in Havana.

Mrs. Zudlay beat all five finalists that emerged from a list of 26 competitors from across Cuba and who held their national matching contest on January 2007 at the Havana Libre Tryp Hotel.

During the competition, participants endured the jury’s situational tests and answered the questions asked by a hypothetical patron with ideas and suggestions on what the perfect combination might be –depending on his or her liking, the selected dish from the menu, the kind of wines or spirits ordered, and the features of the cigar. In addition, they showed off their skills in lighting a Habano and teaching patrons the best ways to further enjoy their cigars.